The Constitutional and Legal Development of the Chinese Presidency

The Emperors' New Clothes?

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Politics, Leadership, International, International Relations
Cover of the book The Constitutional and Legal Development of the Chinese Presidency by Zhang Runhua, Lexington Books
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Zhang Runhua ISBN: 9780739189900
Publisher: Lexington Books Publication: November 5, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books Language: English
Author: Zhang Runhua
ISBN: 9780739189900
Publisher: Lexington Books
Publication: November 5, 2014
Imprint: Lexington Books
Language: English

This book investigates the legal and political evolution of Chinese presidency from the period of its forerunner in the 1930s, its establishment in 1954 to its abolition in 1975, and its restoration in 1982, and discovers that the presidency has evolved from a traditional Chinese title into a political position and then a state institution that has the constitutional appearance of a Western style semi-presidency. However, politically it has functioned in a Stalinist party-state with Chinese characteristics, whose candidates have been produced according to the CCP’s step-by-step succession rules designated by the party leaders. Real political decision-making power has not only been limited by these succession rules, but also by the president's role and status within the CCP’s collective supreme body.

The author weaves the themes of Chinese politics and law together and explores not only the political implications of those constitutional provisions and amendments regarding this office, but also the constitutional significance of the CCP’s major political practices, such as Mao Zedong’s “power of last say,” his idea of “two fronts,” his controversial abolition of the chairmanship, Deng Xiaoping’s idea of “the nucleus of leadership,” and “diplomacy of the head of state” by Chinese presidents, thus illuminating how law has been made in those unpredictable political environments and how politics has been defined by law. The author concludes that the office of president is the key to understanding how power in China derives first from the CCP, second from the military, and third from the government loosely prescribed by laws. Even more important, the millennia-old Confucian concept of the charismatic leader is alive and well. While all eyes are on the new incumbent, his predecessors have loomed large and continue to exert significant influence on him. Underlining decades of constitutional evolution and shifting political dynamics have been the changing foreign influences and local demands on China. With so many variables at play, the office of the president will certainly continue to evolve.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This book investigates the legal and political evolution of Chinese presidency from the period of its forerunner in the 1930s, its establishment in 1954 to its abolition in 1975, and its restoration in 1982, and discovers that the presidency has evolved from a traditional Chinese title into a political position and then a state institution that has the constitutional appearance of a Western style semi-presidency. However, politically it has functioned in a Stalinist party-state with Chinese characteristics, whose candidates have been produced according to the CCP’s step-by-step succession rules designated by the party leaders. Real political decision-making power has not only been limited by these succession rules, but also by the president's role and status within the CCP’s collective supreme body.

The author weaves the themes of Chinese politics and law together and explores not only the political implications of those constitutional provisions and amendments regarding this office, but also the constitutional significance of the CCP’s major political practices, such as Mao Zedong’s “power of last say,” his idea of “two fronts,” his controversial abolition of the chairmanship, Deng Xiaoping’s idea of “the nucleus of leadership,” and “diplomacy of the head of state” by Chinese presidents, thus illuminating how law has been made in those unpredictable political environments and how politics has been defined by law. The author concludes that the office of president is the key to understanding how power in China derives first from the CCP, second from the military, and third from the government loosely prescribed by laws. Even more important, the millennia-old Confucian concept of the charismatic leader is alive and well. While all eyes are on the new incumbent, his predecessors have loomed large and continue to exert significant influence on him. Underlining decades of constitutional evolution and shifting political dynamics have been the changing foreign influences and local demands on China. With so many variables at play, the office of the president will certainly continue to evolve.

More books from Lexington Books

Cover of the book Apprenticeship Pilgrimage by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Constructing Borders/Crossing Boundaries by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Urban God Talk by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Staging France between the World Wars by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Apocalypse and Post-Politics by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book How Economics Professors Can Stop Failing Us by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Russian/Soviet Studies in the United States, Amerikanistika in Russia by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book The Methodology of Political Economy by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book The Impact of Social Media in Modern Romantic Relationships by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Communication and Control by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Paul Bowles's Literary Engagement with Morocco by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Cosmos and the Rhetoric of Popular Science by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book Transcendental Guilt by Zhang Runhua
Cover of the book The Crisis of Welfare in East Asia by Zhang Runhua
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy